Mill Creek raises fees at Freedom Field

MILL CREEK — Freedom Field usage in Mill Creek will become a bit costlier now that the City Council has unanimously approved a measure that aims to increase revenues.

The council estimates an additional $12,565 from these revenue bumps in response to a Park Board review that recommended a 20 percent increase in fees.

The goal is to help offset the expense of maintaining the fields.

Youth baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer players who live in Mill Creek can expect to pay $4 more per hour to use a field, as hourly fee increases brought prices to $22 from $18.

“Primarily, Little League youths use the field,” said Ken Armstong, Mill Creek city manager.

However, adults who live in the city will pay $8 more to rent a field, as hourly prices rose to $44 from $36.

Lighting costs for the field were raised by $2 for all groups.

The costs also will help maintain cleaning expenses that covers everything from bathroom tidiness to wind-blown litter. “The youths also like to chew sunflower seeds and because its a synthetic field, the bits need to be cleaned up,” Armstrong said.

The Mill Creek sporting park, otherwise known as Freedom Park, is booked for more than 22,000 hours per year and will be the only park affected by the new fees.